Hello United South Central Families,
It has been a great fall and start to the school year at United South Central. As we step into the second quarter of the school year, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are just ahead. We’re excited about all the activities and events November and December will bring to USC!
Strategic Planning Process - As a district, we have been going through a comprehensive process to develop an updated, long-term, strategic plan for our district over the past eight months. Rather than this being a “top-down” plan, it has been great to see this plan have a “bottom-out” focus with staff, community, and student input being the foundation that this work was built upon. Throughout the summer, a dedicated team of school staff members worked diligently to analyze survey results, focus group feedback, and our district's history to establish meaningful goals for USC.
Based on this work, our school board and leadership team are now looking at options for revised mission, vision, and value statements for our school district. These statements need to be more than words on a wall, or a mantra on our website. A worthwhile mission/vision statement is something that we can use as a tool for managing big decisions and a guiding light for our daily work as a school. As part of the United South Central community, it’s important that everyone has a voice in this process. We invite you to take a few minutes to share your thoughts and feedback on the Mission, Vision, and Value process at USC. (Please see the full draft of our Strategic Roadmap with our full mission, vision, and value draft attached to this message).
Link to Mission, Vision, and Value Survey
Wednesday Early Release Schedule - We now have nearly two months with our new Wednesday early-release PLC schedule complete. Thank you for adjusting your schedules and making this time possible at USC. I believe that this is the largest amount of professional development/Professional Learning Community (PLC) work that I have ever seen completed by school staff members at the same time! Typically middle/high school teachers meet in the commons area, and elementary teachers meet in the library. Teachers focus on aligning their instruction to standards on a rotational basis, with professional learning community work occurring on the other Wednesdays. Paraprofessionals also receive specific training sessions during this time as well. The consistency of this time each week has been a great addition and enables our professional learning and development to be a reliable and ongoing focus week to week. We know that this time comes to us at the cost of families moving their schedules to accommodate this change. Because of this, the time on Wednesdays is used very purposefully and designated only toward staff learning, growth, and development. One of the biggest assets we have as a district is our tremendous staff, and our time on Wednesdays provides the time and space to keep this group at its best for our students.
Project Updates - Over the coming weeks, you may notice some minor work being completed around our school facility. Two sections of roof over the small gymnasium and high school office area are in the process of being replaced as part of a warranty claim. There also will be a brief project starting in the parking lot, with a small area being repaved. We do not anticipate any major disruptions to our daily school process with either of these projects over the next few weeks. Our new preschool playground area continues to be a work in progress, and we are working to see this project completed as soon as possible. Aligning schedules with the contractors we work with is often a challenge, and we appreciate your flexibility as we see this work take shape.
Wednesday, November 27th - The day before Thanksgiving break looks a bit different this year than it has in previous years. This will be a conference day/no school day for elementary students (grades K-6). This will be a half day for middle/high school students (grades 7-12), and they will be dismissed at 12:12 with buses departing at 12:20.
Substitute Appreciation - Substitute Appreciation Day is on Friday, November 15th! Let’s take a moment to recognize our amazing substitutes at USC. Please encourage your students to thank them over the next few weeks. We are also looking to expand our substitute lists for both teachers and paraprofessionals. Anyone with a four-year degree can qualify for a substitute teacher license in Minnesota. For more information about subbing or licensure, please reach out to us!
Upcoming Events and Activities at USC -
November 5, USC School Board Election
November 5, End of First Quarter
November 6, Start of Second Quarter
November 8, 9, & 10, Wizard of Oz Drama Performance
November 11, Veterans Day Ceremony - 9:00 AM
November 14, 5-12th Gr. Band Concert - 7:00 PM
November 21 & 26, Elementary Evening Conferences
November 27, No School Grades K-6 (Elem. Conferences), 12:12 Dismissal for Grades 7-12
November 28 & 29, Thanksgiving Break
Go Rebels!
Taylor Topinka
United South Central Superintendent